In the 13th century, when he pioneered the linkage of East and West, Marco Polo marveled at the beauty of the “Himroo fabrics” he found on India’s Deccan plateau. He felt they were worthy of the kings and queens of Europe.

Today, Women Forward International (WFI) has partnered ZariZar Luxury Shawls & Minerals in India with the Parsons School of Design in New York to preserve this ancient art and to build a training center for women weavers to create these one-of-a-kind luxury hand-woven Himroo shawls, uniting East and West through this rich cultural heritage.

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With the support of the US-India Friendship Alliance, we brought Himroo’s story to New York City, curating an immersive gallery event with the Women’s Foreign Policy Group for the luxury brand ZariZar. The event spotlighted the intricate beauty of the craft and honored the hands that keep it alive.

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Together, we are now supporting the creation of a dedicated Crafts Village—an empowering space where Indian women weavers can train, grow, and lead. While the village is still being built, the spirit of the project is already alive: training sessions are underway at our working unit in Himroo Fabrics, and the first threads of change are already being woven.

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This Fall 2025, Parsons students will collaborate with ZariZar (ZZ) in a Design Sprint—an immersive experience that connects them with external partners to address real-world design challenges rooted in sustainability and cultural preservation. As part of the project, students will help implement a strategic plan to expand market access—particularly in the United States—to uplift ZariZar’s community of women artisans, along with their families and communities.

Our Impact:

• 15 women weavers have participated in the training program in India.

• 5 women have mastered their skills and are now working as professional weavers.

• Women have reported a notable increase in their income through new job opportunities.

• A growing number of students and interns from design institutes are gaining hands-on experience and contributing to craft documentation.

• A increasingly community engagement and skill development is growing steadily.​

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